Hi I recently had a ct scan and they said they seen a mass on my colon does that 4 sure mean cancer?

Hank why do they use the word mass that's so scary to me and they said it was a decent size also what else could it be. I'm so scared. I have not ate or slept. I'm so scared I'm gonna die. I feel like I am having all these symptoms now idk if it's in my head or what I can't eat now I feel like my neck is swallown. My stool had the mucus in it before I even knew I had the mass so that scares me. N then I heard it takes like 2 or 3 weeks 2 get the resaults back in gonna go insane from worring 😢

A mass is larger than a polyp and has more chances to be cancerous, but can still be not cancerous. I would look at it this way: you do not have cancer now, do not worry, it will not do you may good. 

Even if it comes back cancerous, colon cancer usually slow and is very treatable. The result should be back in a week.

Hank

Thank you Hank for that positive comment to Joann.  You're so right.  glad you said that. 

So hank that was one of my questions that noone could really answer is s mass different from s polyp? People keep saying to me well maybe it's just stool or maybe it's just a polyp n I keep saying I think those r different from a mass? I did look it up and it did say not all masses are cancerous but I hope I'm one of those lucky ones. So a mass can not b a stool or a polyp then correct?

I do really appreciate your responses hank. I appreciate anyone who takes there time out to talk to me it means alot to me.

As far as can tell, mass is large (usu >2cm), polyp is small (usu <2cm). But this drawn line can differ with institutions. Some will use 2.5cm. They both can be benign as well as cancerous.

Your post is a little vague. Did you have a colonoscopy ? If you did, the doctor can tell you more exact size of the mass, and its appearance (benign or not). A sample of the mass should be sent to a pathogist for testing.

In the mean time, don't worry. There is nothing you can do but wait. If is is benign, it's great. If is not, be agressive seeking treatment. Again, colon cancer is very treatable. 

Hank

Hi hank I had only the ct scan so far I'm doing the prep for the colonoscopy today and I have the colonoscopy tomorrow at 130. I'm just so scared when I go to the bathroom I have ALOT of mucus in my stool I don't have diarrhea all day or anything but when I do go it is diarrhea with mucus in it no blood just mucus. I'm thinking if I already have a mass and that is happening what r the odds of me not having cancer I'm trying to stay positive I'm just so scared

No blood is very good. Mucus is not so good but there are many digestive issues that can cause mucus. You know better tomorrow. Wish you the best. Hank

I'm so nervous about what the doc tells me tomorrow please pray for me that it's good news. I have it in my head that it's already cancer n idk how to get it out. I'm making myself crazy. I have never been more scared in my life.

So I got my report back hank here is what it says. There is a lobulated soft tissue mass seen in the hepatic for sure of the colon measuring 39mm in ap dimension ×23mm in transverse dimension ×26mm in craniofacial span. This extends to the inferior and medial wall of the colon, with extension through the wall in to the pericolonic fat. This could represent a neoplasm within the colon and a colonoscopy is recommended. The possibility of it being due to stool is unlikely. No additional mass is identified within the colonic lumen. The small bowel is unremarkable. No bowel obstruction. No evidence of intussussusception is seen. What do u think after reading this it sounds pretty scary

It just says you have a mass in your colon, MAYBE cancerous. I hope that it is not. Colonoscopy will tell you more tomorrow. Hank

Praying that JoAnn's colonoscopy goes well.  Thank you for translating that report into the basic meaning.  

I'm so scared! I can not even tell u how I am feeling right now. I'm so scared they r gonna tell me I'm gonna die! Please say alot of prayers for me tonight both of u! Ty ??

Joann

Am thinking about you and will pray that the colonoscopy shows good results.  But that you'll be able to deal with whatever the Dr tells you.  

   Hugs to you Joann

Joann

You got it!  Just be sure to say some calming prayers for yourself.  Cancer, if you have it, does not mean death.  

   You're on my mind and in my prayers. 

       Marlene

You'll be OK. From the report, mass is not too bad. No other bad signs or symptoms. Good chance for a benign result. If not, it should be easily treated. 

Hank

Ty both I don't want no cancer Marlene the word alone scares me so much! I hope you r right hank. I am hoping if it's anything it can b taken care of and all this can b done and over with! My sister was here for a lil while tonite she said what u said hank. She said the report does not seem so bad. I am praying to the Lord that you guys r right. You and Marlene have no idea how much your responses mean to me ty both so much!

That word scares everyone.  Remember we've come a long way with treatments.  It's not like it used to be.  I'm thinking of you and praying that you can get some peace in your mind.

   

Thank you Hank once again for your support to JoAnn.  

   Marlene

Ty I am hoping to get some piece of mind. Praying for good news I have ALOT of people praying for me so I kno god is listening!

So I went for my colonoscopy today the prep waa the worst it was hard but I got through it. I went it I was giving a sadative was out for about 5 min but I woke up it dident hurt but I continued to watch them do it and talked to them also. They gave me more but stubborn me still stayed awake. Anyway... They found 2 polyps 1 small one and the other 1 was 4cm I'm a lil nervous about that 1 it did have a lil stem thing on it so it was easier for him to get it off but them stupid me goes online n reads those kind r more known to b cancerous so now I'm even more scared. The doc got everything out now we just have to wait for the resaults and if it's cancer I'm guessing I'm gonna have to go back in for surgury??? I am relieved that they did get it all out but now so scared of the resaults! Hank and Marlene I wanted to tell u both both of u continuing to respond to me really does help me and I really appreciate it. Hank what do u think in your opinion after me telling you what happend and u seeing my report before hand. After it was all done I did not feel well at all although that was prolly my own fault I was up most of the night then had to do my prep then after going to the bathroom so much finally laid down for a couple hours. I got home was weak dizzy and threw up. Finally laid down got about 4 hours asleep and hoping to just cuddle with my husband tonight and sleep for once! ?

Did they give a discharge or prelim report ? So far, everything is as expected. No surprises. Stay with the same game plan. Just have to wait for result, mainly on the larger one (not that large to be honest about it). Hank

No hank they just gave me instructions to eat a high fiber diet. They said if they don't call in a fee days to make up a follow up appt t then for us to call and make an appt for the follow up where he will go over my resaults. I'm scared cause I feel like if he felt like it wasent cancer he woulda told me that but he dident say that he just said we have to wait for the resaults. N of course there is me well if it's cancer am I gonna die he said we got out the polyps but I remember him saying if it was cancer we would have to go back in and cut part of the colon or something I wish I would have recorded what he said

Also don't take any blood thinner and foods like blueberries for 2 weeks. At least he could not tell that it is cancerous out right, otherwise he would have told you. 

Hank

Do u think I should b worried because he said the resaults will b back in 7 days? Or maybe because it's so big he just pit a ridh on it idk. You said I don't think 4 cm is even that big, did u have polyps? If so if u don't mind sharing were your that big? Did they tell u right away they thought yours was cancer? Ty for your replies I always look forward 2 hearing from u

My story won't help you. There is nothing you can do now other than waiting and hope for the best. Worrying won't help either. Hank

Joann

Well it looks like you're going to be waiting a bit longer to know the exact findings.  It isn't easy but you can do it.  

Am still out here, just do as they say and try to stop worrying so much.  Hard to do I know.  

   I'm still out here.  Glad the colonoscopy is over. 

I understand telling me bad things prolly wouldn't help u r right. Some people r saying if he thought for sure it was cancer he would have told me right away. I guess I was just hoping for more of a a really don't think it's cancer but we still have to send it out for a biopsy. Waiting is very hard for me. Not knowing and waiting is scary. 1 person I talked to told me they told them right away they knew it was cancer. Hank r u all good now? I hope u r all good and feeling better

Hi Marlene I'm glad it's over also. I was hoping for more of a clear answer after the colonoscopy but I am happy they did get it out now I'm hoping no cancer so they don't have to go back in and I don't have to go for s urgury. The colonoscopy it's self was not bad at all. I appreciate all of your prayers ?

I HAD A MASS! It was an adenoma. So don't worry. I thought mass meant HUGE it doesn't have to he just worded it very worryingly I hope you turn out like me and it's all good, I'm only 22 and have ton of health issues but my "mass" was removed successfully so please don't worry it might sound worse. I had to wait for results but honestly don't google it I did and gave myself panic attacks hahaha